Tropical storm Karding (international name “Noru”) is still getting stronger, prompting the Philippine Atmospheric Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) to raise Tropical Cyclone Wind Signal No. 1 in nine areas in Northern and Central Luzon on Saturday morning, Sept. 24.
PAGASA, in its 5 a.m. bulletin, hoisted Signal No. 1 over Isabela, Nueva Vizcaya, Quirino, the southern portion of mainland Cagayan (Peñablanca, Tuguegarao City, Iguig, Solana, Tuao, Enrile), Kalinga, Mountain Province, Ifugao, Aurora, and the northern and eastern portions of Nueva Ecija (Carranglan, Pantabangan, Gabaldon, Bongabon, Laur, Rizal, San Jose City, Lupao, Llanera, General Mamerto Natividad, Palayan City, General Tinio).
“Strong winds—strong breeze to near gale strength—will be experienced within any of the areas where Wind Signal No. 1 is currently in effect,” PAGASA said in its 11 p.m. bulletin.
“Per latest track and intensity forecast, the most likely highest wind signal that will be hoisted is Wind Signal No. 3. However, with the possibility that Karding will reach typhoon category shortly before making landfall, the hoisting of Wind Signal No. 4 in some areas over the eastern section of Northern or Central Luzon is not ruled out,” it added.
Landfall seen in Isabela-Aurora area on Sunday
Karding was last seen 795 kilometers (km) east of Tuguegarao City, Cagayan, and was moving west-southwestward at 15 kilometers per hour (kph).
As it crossed the sea east of the Philippines, the storm’s maximum sustained winds increased to 85 kph from 75 kph near the center, while its gustiness increased from 90 kph to 105 kph.
“While current forecast scenario shows that Karding may make landfall as a severe tropical storm, the possibility that this tropical cyclone will reach typhoon category shortly before reaching land is not ruled out,” PAGASA said.
Karding is projected to move west-southwestward or westward while gradually accelerating toward the east coast of Isabela or Aurora, where it is likely to make landfall on Sunday morning or afternoon, Sept. 25.
“After crossing the mountainous terrain of Northern Luzon, the tropical cyclone is forecast to emerge over the West Philippine Sea tomorrow late evening or Monday early morning (Sept. 25). Karding will then continue tracking westward over the West Philippine Sea for the remainder of the forecast period,” it added.
‘Karding’ to bring heavy rains
PAGASA said light to heavy rains may begin affecting Batanes, Cagayan, Isabela, and the northern portion of Aurora between Saturday evening and early Sunday morning.
For the rest of Sunday through early Monday morning, heavy to intense rains may prevail over the northern portion of Aurora, Isabela, Quirino, Nueva Vizcaya, Benguet, La Union, Pangasinan, and the northern portion of Nueva Ecija.
Moderate to heavy rains may also prevail over mainland Cagayan, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, the rest of Nueva Ecija, Tarlac, the northern portion of Zambales, and the rest of Cordillera Administrative Region, while light to heavy rains may affect the rest of Cagayan Valley and Central Luzon.
“Under these conditions, scattered flooding and rain-induced landslides are possible, especially in areas that are highly or very highly susceptible to these hazards as identified in hazard maps and in localities with significant antecedent rainfall,” PAGASA said.
It added that because of the southwest monsoon or “habagat” partly influenced by Karding, occasional rains are possible over most of Southern Luzon, including Metro Manila, and Visayas, especially over the western sections, as early as Saturday.